25th-annual Logan Toughman just around the corner

One of the year’s most anticipated events — the Coal Area Toughman — is right around the corner.

This year’s boxing event — the 25th-annual in the Logan area — is scheduled for Nov. 9-10 at Logan High School’s Willie Akers Arena.

The highlight this year are two professional bouts.

On Friday, Nov. 9, Logan native Jason Smith is scheduled to box against an opponent to be named later in a four-round fight. Smith carries a 5-1 record with three knockouts as he heads into the bout.

Then on Saturday, Nov. 10, Chapmanville’s Daniel Hensley is scheduled to fight a four-round bout against a yet-t0-be determined foe. Hensley is a perfect 6-0 in his pro boxing career. He stepped back into the ring back in June for the first time in 12 years and made a triumphant return as he came out of retirement to beat Ohio’s Gonzales Jones in a four-round unanimous decision by the judges at the King of the Coalfields II event at Logan.

Both Smith and Hensley are former Toughman Champions.

The Toughman, put on by Jerry Thomas’ West Virginia Sports Promotions, is one of the Logan area’s largest sporting events each year and is enjoyed by several thousand fans every fall.

Fighter’s registrations are now being accepted for the Toughman, which is a single elimination boxing tournament, open to area men and women, age 18 to 35, with no pro fights and limited amateur experience. MMA fighters are welcome.

All bouts are scheduled for three, one-minute rounds, with all fighters wearing 16-ounce gloves, protective headgear and a mouth piece.

The champion in each of the four weight classes for men will receive $1,000 and the runners-up will each receive $300. Prize money for the women’s divisions will be based on the average number of bouts and paid in proportion to and up to the same amounts as the men’s divisions.

In addition to the cash prize money, each weight class champion will receive a Toughman jacket. Each weight class runner up will receive a trophy or plaque.

The ring girls will share a total of $1,600 in cash prize money, with Miss Ring Girl receiving $1,000 cash, a Toughman jacket and various other prizes. The other ring girls will each receive $200, plus additional prizes.

The event is sanctioned and will be supervised by the West Virginia State Athletic Commission and by PPI, the national promoters of Toughman.

Tickets go on sale Oct. 20.

The event is being sponsored again by Mike Ferrell Toyota-Scion, Suddenlink Media, 96.1 The Wolfe and Acme Bonding.

The Toughman season begins Nov. 2-3 at the State Fair Grounds in Lewisburg.